Bon Jovi - In These Arms (Chorus mix voice question)

[jonathangraham]

Hello all,

akarawd got me inspired with his Bon Jovi cover so i thought i'd have a quick go at one myself.

I've noticed with this song in the chorus section there is a bit of a conundrum for me on which coordination to go for.

Range wise it seems to sit right in the middle of my break so deciding weather to pull chest or bring the head down and risk losing some depth in the tone. The latter is what I have decided to go for as it just felt better vocal weight wise but what do you think? Should I continue to build head in a chorus like this and go for a blend or work more on bringing a chestier sound to it?

Thanks

[akarawd]

Jonathan, I always face the same question and in all honesty I've resigned to using head voice most of the time as it usually feels easy and comfortable.

This sounded great the way you did it so I'd say carry on with the use of head voice in the chorus.It sounds unified and there is no weird tone shift from the bridge to the chorus and trust me it does not sound like it lacks depth etc so head voice should be it.

Very well sung, I can understand all the lyrics, there is no strain and your voice suits this piece really well. One thing I particularly liked is this soft/almost imperceptible huskiness to your tone that stresses emotions a lot more.

Cheers,

Thanos

[Enander]

The great singing (as usual) aside, this is something that many vocalists ponder.

I do believe that head will give you longevity, because stretching chest takes it's toll on your stamina pretty quickly. So, I can totally see why performing artists prefer such an approach.

With that being said, it's a matter of taste and interpretation, and I think some songs really warrant a chestier sound.

If you're asking me which route I believe you should take on this track; head!

But if you mean in a more general sense; both, so you can choose!

I'm not a pro, so I could very much be wrong, but I can't see how either approach will hamper the developement of the other.

[Nicogratouille]

Sounds good Jonathan!

You are not pulling head voice down. This is definitely a mix. However it sounds to me like your larynx is sitting slightly high so you're loosing some depth in the tone compared to your low notes or I might be wrong, well I'm still learning

This sound would be great for Bruno Mars type stuff!

Nick

[jonathangraham]

I always face the same question

I can't see how either approach will hamper the developement of the other

Thanks guys for listening and commenting. It really is amazing how many great songs have their best moments in that area of the voice. I guess as you say strengthening from both directions is the only real way to go.

The great signers seem to have the ultimate blend of both. I wonder it it just comes naturally for them? :mad:

This is definitely a mix. However it sounds to me like your larynx is sitting slightly high so you're loosing some depth in the tone compared to your low notes

I really think you have a point there, I was so busy thinking about a few other aspects I actually completely forgot about the height of my larynx. I will have to give this another try tomorrow with that in mind and see if it opens up a little more for me. Thanks for listening and commenting.:cool:

[gilad]

Jonathan! I loved your version of it. Great voice!

[MDEW]

Sounds awesome Jonathan. I did not hear any difference in quality between low and high. Highs sounded a little thinner but still consistant over all.

You made this sound so easy.

[jonathangraham]

Sounds awesome Jonathan. I did not hear any difference in quality between low and high. Highs sounded a little thinner but still consistant over all.

Thanks MDEW for listening i'm glad you thought it was passable. I really need to strengthen that area as it felt a little shaky but i'm pleased you guys seem to feel i'm approaching it the right way.

[ronws]

Stick with the head voice thingy. It was loud and resonant and had the effect of belting but in an endurable way. It's entirely possible that is how the original singer does it. Stranger things have happened ....

[Gneetapp]

Nice job Jonathan! I liked the tone, although I think you may be able to beef it up a little bit more (if you want it to), maybe lowering the larynx or adding some grit. Congrats!

[Felipe Carvalho]

Sounds nice man, very pleasant to listen. :)

[jonathangraham]

Thanks guys i'm pleased you enjoyed it.

@Gneetapp the lowered larynx just as Nicogratouille said earlier defo seems to be the key. Thanks for the suggestion i'm working through it as we speak. :)

[Olem]

Sounds great Jonathan but just a tad more '"meat" to it and it will sound even better IMO and a more dopey/lower larynx would fix that but you are on the right path, a mixed voice with head dominant is the preference in the long run. I would guess that Jon Bon Jovi brings up alot of chest on this one, it sounds quite heavy but i could be wrong.

[Lewis]

Jonathan your voice and range is amazing.

I've sung for years but had to avoid songs like that because my chest voice range won't get those high notes.

Only recently found out about mix voice.

How did you get your head voice so powerful?

As soon as I go into head voice I sound weak and quiet compared to my chest voice.

[Nicogratouille]

Lewis,

Basically when going from low to high, you can:

- Let go into a weak head voice or falsetto: "As soon as I go into head voice I sound weak and quiet compared to my chest voice."

- Push chest voice and strain: "I've sung for years but had to avoid songs like that because my chest voice range won't get those high notes. "

- Gradually move from chest voice to head voice so that you don't hear any sudden shift in quality and you think the singer has a 2-3 octave chest voice range.

Nick